Which term applies to the species that exists at the top of the activation barrier between reactants and products on a reaction coordinate diagram? O A) Transition state B) Equilibrium state O C) Ground state O D) Excited state

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**Quiz Question on Reaction Coordinate Diagrams**

**Question:** Which term applies to the species that exists at the top of the activation barrier between reactants and products on a reaction coordinate diagram?

**Options:**
- **A) Transition state**
- **B) Equilibrium state**
- **C) Ground state**
- **D) Excited state**

In context of a reaction coordinate diagram, the term that applies to the species at the peak of the activation barrier is the **"Transition state."** The transition state represents the highest energy point along the reaction path and is a critical concept in understanding the energy changes that take place during a chemical reaction.

**Explanation of Reaction Coordinate Diagram:**

A reaction coordinate diagram typically plots the energy of the reacting system versus the progress of the reaction. Here's a general description of its main components:

1. **Reactants:** The starting materials of the chemical reaction. They are usually placed on the left side of the diagram.
2. **Products:** The substances formed as a result of the reaction. They are typically located on the right side of the diagram.
3. **Activation Energy:** The energy barrier that must be overcome for the reactants to be converted into products. The height of this barrier corresponds to the energy difference between the reactants and the transition state.
4. **Transition State:** This is the highest energy point on the reaction coordinate diagram, located at the peak of the activation energy barrier. It represents a very short-lived, unstable arrangement of atoms where bonds are in the process of being broken and formed.

Understanding these concepts is essential for students studying chemistry, as it helps in visualizing and predicting the course of chemical reactions.
Transcribed Image Text:**Quiz Question on Reaction Coordinate Diagrams** **Question:** Which term applies to the species that exists at the top of the activation barrier between reactants and products on a reaction coordinate diagram? **Options:** - **A) Transition state** - **B) Equilibrium state** - **C) Ground state** - **D) Excited state** In context of a reaction coordinate diagram, the term that applies to the species at the peak of the activation barrier is the **"Transition state."** The transition state represents the highest energy point along the reaction path and is a critical concept in understanding the energy changes that take place during a chemical reaction. **Explanation of Reaction Coordinate Diagram:** A reaction coordinate diagram typically plots the energy of the reacting system versus the progress of the reaction. Here's a general description of its main components: 1. **Reactants:** The starting materials of the chemical reaction. They are usually placed on the left side of the diagram. 2. **Products:** The substances formed as a result of the reaction. They are typically located on the right side of the diagram. 3. **Activation Energy:** The energy barrier that must be overcome for the reactants to be converted into products. The height of this barrier corresponds to the energy difference between the reactants and the transition state. 4. **Transition State:** This is the highest energy point on the reaction coordinate diagram, located at the peak of the activation energy barrier. It represents a very short-lived, unstable arrangement of atoms where bonds are in the process of being broken and formed. Understanding these concepts is essential for students studying chemistry, as it helps in visualizing and predicting the course of chemical reactions.
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